Reading Eagle: Ben Hasty | Russell Cambria of Wyomissing and others want to return colored lights to the top of the Berks County Courthouse. The lights made a brief appearance in 2011 but officials say it would be too costly to bring them back.

Individuals who wish to make a tax-deductible donation for the project to restore multicolored lights atop the Berks County Courthouse, should make checks payable to Berks History Center/Courthouse Lights.

The checks can be sent to The Berks County History Center c/o Russ Cambria, 924 Hamilton Place, Wyomissing, Pa. 19610.

A Wyomissing resident has hit the switch to electrify community interest in restoring lights to the roof of the towering Berks County Courthouse.

He has enlisted $500 in private contributions from two politicians, support from more than 700 Facebook followers and the endorsement of the Berks History Center.Russell Cambria accepted two $250 personal checks Wednesday from state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone, a Reading Democrat, and state Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Muhlenberg Township Democrat, to help fund the colored-light restoration that is touted as an 80-year historic tradition, particularly in signifying weather forecasts.Sime Bertolet, executive director of the Berks History Center, announced that the center will serve as a partner in the project as the nonprofit to collect funds for the endeavor.Cambria began the grassroots effort about three weeks ago after he learned that county commissoners decided last fall not to use public funds to replace the lights as part of courthouse renovations.It was deemed too expensive to install multicolored lights and estimated to cost $122,000.“I couldn't be happier today that our organization can help to fulfill its mission of interpreting our county's unique past and showing pride in its future,” Bertolet said. “Having these lights will add to the beauty of Berks County.”Rallying support for light restoration on a Facebook page, Cambria said more than 700 followers expressed a desire to see the county building illuminated for historic reasons.The Berks County Courthouse was dedicated in Dec. 19, 1932, and the roof of the building became a site for housing meteorologial instruments.“I am just thrilled with the response to the lighting,” said Cambria, a Berks County native.A 1997 graduate of Wilson High School, he is the grandson of the late Russell J. LaMarca, a former state legislator, longtime Berks attorney and owner and chef at the city's once-popular Brewery Inn.Cambria currently works as a registrar at the Valley Forge Christian College, Phoenixville, Chester County.“I came from a family of Italian immigrants and I remember my grandpop being very proud of our courthouse and the lights that were on top of it,” he said.Cambria hopes multicolored and high-efficiency LED lighting can be used to promote community pride in a variety of public activities, from promoting local sports teams with their team colors to honoring injured or fallen policeman with royal blue lighting, and even supporting public health issues such as pink lights for breast-cancer awareness.“We are a city that may be down, but we are not out,” said Caltagirone, adding that it is important for Berks County not to let treasured traditions die or fade away.“As legislators, we have an obligation to support our community, too,” he said, explaining his personal $250 donation toward the lighting project.“I think we can raise private funds without using public money for this,” said Rozzi, who also contributed $250. “I know we can't keep dipping into public money, but I think this lighting in our city encourages people and promotes pride.”“What we're supporting here is a public beacon,” Caltagirone said. “And a tradition.”